Our Readers Say: Make roads through the Wash bicycle friendly

As a person who commutes daily by bicycle along Orange Street between Highland and Redlands, I’d like to begin this editorial by thanking the drivers along that route that give cyclists a little extra room even when there isn’t much room to give. Many drivers slow down considerably when they pass along this otherwise very dangerous road. My family and I are indebted to each of you for such caution.

I’m also writing to add support a letters to the editor I read last week (“Children Can Walk to School Safely,” April 13).

Alexis Lee recommended parents ensure their children travel to school using a mode of active transportation other than a car.

Her column is chock full of so many reasons why children should walk or bike to school, reading it made me jump out of my seat in support.

The author is from Citrus Valley High School, the only public high school serving the eastern half of Highland.

More than 2/3 of CVHS’s students live about 4 to 6 miles from the school — a perfect distance for cycling.

On my way to work along Orange Street I’ve seen many helmetless cyclists wearing hoodies or earphones and riding within a couple feet of cars traveling more than 60 mph.

Most parents wouldn’t dream of allowing their children to bike that stretch of road.

And even though a London study concluded health benefits of cycling outweigh risks by 20 to 1, it does not feel like that statistic could possibly be true along Orange Street.

School buses to CVHS are not offered by Redlands Unified School District; thus, Highland parents of high school students within Redlands USD boundaries must pay significant vehicle costs such as gas, wear and tear, and time just to send their children to school.

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Since walking or biking are not reasonable options, this is essentially a tax of hundreds of dollars a year on Highland parents.

Many likely feel they must purchase a car and pay all of its associated costs just so their children can get themselves safely to school, which is unfortunate since car crashes are the leading cause of death among teenagers.

Since Alabama Street closed for construction, I’ve seen Orange Street fully closed to traffic through the wash at least three times due to car crashes.

So why isn’t there infrastructure for bicycles on Orange Street?

The general transportation plans for both Redlands and Highland designate Orange Street shall, in the future, employ a bike lane… eventually.

I presume both cities are looking for funding to add a vehicle lane in each direction and when it is widened to four lanes then and only then will a bike lane be added as a side benefit.

However, I’ve traveled that stretch hundreds of times and never once saw traffic so heavy on either end that it came to a stop within the wash area even though Alabama Street has been closed.

I propose the cities instead construct a multi-use trail along Orange Street.

It could use the existing extra-wide portion of the Santa Ana River Bridge, but be separated elsewhere by a few feet of vegetation. This may save significant taxpayer dollars over an unnecessary vehicle lane and would be eligible for federal, state, county and regional active transportation grants since it is the only corridor for bikes through the Wash for miles in each direction.

This would be a route utilized by commuters, students and recreationalists.

Most important, a parallel non-motorized pathway would mostly separate cyclists from drivers giving them and their parents a much greater peace of mind and a better option when traveling to school. And then we could reasonably follow Ms. Lee’s suggestion to leave the car at home.

Again, for those of you, who drive with caution along this dangerous corridor, thank you.